The Name of the Wind
Editorial direction by Kevin CravediFounder, Recommended Audiobooks
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Recommendation DNA i
Developing ScoreNarrative and listener evidence are still growing.
As we learn more about this audiobook and its listeners, its Recommendation DNA profile can become even more personalized.
Trait bars describe characteristics such as complexity, romance, pace, and accessibility. This score may become more precise as more independent quality evidence is gathered.
Patrick Rothfuss’ epic fantasy series, The Kingkiller Chronicle. DAY ONE: THE NAME OF THE WIND My name is Kvothe. I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day.
I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature—the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man’s search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the
Evidence Confidence
Why this matters →- The book itself is well identified and supported across independent sources.
- We still have limited information tied to this exact recording or edition.
- We have recording-specific performance commentary or analyzed audio for this audiobook.
We have a useful picture of the audiobook, though some listening and edition-specific details are still becoming clearer.
Evidence Snapshot i
These cards measure different things in the same evidence pool, so they are not meant to add together. Retained Evidence counts unique saved records; discussions and networks count independent groups; narration and edition cards count only records qualified for those specific jobs.
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Supporting sources 11
What this means
Unique evidence records that remain after filtering and deduplication. The larger evidence-signal total shown below can be higher because one retained record may support several separate facts or observations.
Source groups 8
What this means
Separate reviews, forums, interviews, or conversations, with duplicates kept from inflating the total.
Networks 32
What this means
Different platforms and publications represented in the research behind this page.
Supporting sources 3
What this means
Performance evidence that can actually describe how this narrator sounds or performs this recording. Identity records, narrator biographies, sample links, and awards are useful context but do not count here on their own.
Supporting sources 2
What this means
Sources tied to the audiobook recording itself, such as verified product or catalog records that help resolve narrator, runtime, format, release information, or stable recording identifiers.
What this means
The most recent date this page’s saved evidence picture was refreshed and checked.
A larger evidence pool gives us more to work with, but volume alone does not make a conclusion stronger. Relevance and independence still matter.
What the Evidence Adds
Useful context the synopsis doesn’t cover — patterns that may help you decide whether this book is your kind of read or listen.
Emotional impact
Emotional stakes are a noticeable part of the book, rather than the story operating only at the level of plot or ideas.
Built from 223 retained source records across 32 independent discussions and 17 source networks.
Narrator Experience
How Nick Podehl performs this particular recording.
How we build this section
Performance summary
Nick Podehl’s performance is associated with a smooth, comfortable cadence and an expressive approach to the cast. Listeners also single out his handling of Kvothe and the broader group of characters, although the available observations support a developing rather than exhaustive performance profile.
This description is based on evidence specific to this recording.Verified against the exact title, author, and narrator. Opens the Amazon sample page.
Performance at a glance
What the qualified evidence says about this narrationAudio observations reflect a short verified sample and are combined with recording-specific performance evidence.
What this means for your listen
Early performance evidence points this way: the steady or measured pace should feel easy to settle into; listeners who prefer brisk delivery may find it more deliberate. Clear or careful diction should make dialogue, names, and unfamiliar terms easier to follow over a longer listen.
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Evidence behind this section
Counts describe support for this narrator/recording, not a quality score.Why we describe the performance this way
We use evidence tied specifically to this recording. Repeated observations across independent sources carry more weight than isolated comments. Narrator background and career recognition can add useful context, but they do not determine how this performance is described.
Narrator tendencies Across other supported work
Narrator recognition & background
- Nick Podehl appears on at least 2 other verified audiobook editions in our catalog.
View source groups 5 groups · 40 records
What It Feels Like to Listen
How this works
What this means
Emotion plays a meaningful role in the experience, so character relationships and outcomes are likely to matter beyond the plot mechanics.
Why it appears: Book information and independent reader or listener observations that speak directly to this trait; recording-specific claims are kept separate unless they are actually supported.
What this means
This is a recurring reader-facing quality in the evidence and is most useful when considered alongside the other supported traits.
Why it appears: Book information and independent reader or listener observations that speak directly to this trait; recording-specific claims are kept separate unless they are actually supported.
What this means for you: The story-level experience is an emotionally engaging, fast-moving fantasy centered on a gifted protagonist recounting the experiences that shaped his legend. It combines danger, mystery, ambition, and sorrow, with enough plot threads to reward listeners who enjoy sustained attention.
Built from the saved evidence most relevant to these listening traits; some traits are supported more strongly than others.
Listener Themes
How themes are identified
Public discussion is broadly positive, especially about the writing and the story’s ability to hold attention. Listeners also frequently praise the narration and describe the more moving passages as emotionally effective. A faster pace is mentioned repeatedly, although the available material does not show a substantial critical disagreement.
Evidence sources for these themes
Based on themes repeated across 102 independent discussions and 32 source networks.
Where Listeners Agree
The strongest agreement centers on writing and story quality and narration performance. The leading theme appears across 5 independent discussions and 5 source networks, which makes it more than a one-off reaction. Emotional impact and story pacing also recur, adding useful secondary context to why the listening experience works for people who respond to it. Narration quality appears less often, so it reads more like a supporting note than the main point of agreement.
The strongest theme is independently supported across 5 discussions and 5 source networks.
Evidence sources for agreement
Is This Right for You?
You’ll probably enjoy this if…
- You enjoy epic or coming-of-age fantasy with a gifted but complicated central character.
- You like stories about legends, hidden knowledge, music, magic, and the cost of ambition.
- You want a substantial audiobook for immersive, sustained listening.
- You respond to emotional storytelling with mystery and danger alongside adventure.
It might not be the best fit if…
- You prefer short standalone audiobooks with a tightly contained plot.
- You dislike retrospective storytelling or protagonists who are deeply invested in their own legend.
- You need extensive verified content guidance or highly specific production information before choosing.
Best listening context
- Long commutes, travel, or other extended listening sessions supported by a nearly twenty-eight-hour runtime.
- Focused listening when you can keep track of several developing threads.
- A good next choice when you want a character-led fantasy rather than a narrowly plotted action story.
Our Take
The Name of the Wind is a strong fit for fantasy readers who want an immersive coming-of-age journey with ambition, loss, mystery, and a protagonist determined to shape his own legend. Its appeal seems to rest on vivid storytelling and emotional involvement rather than a narrowly plotted adventure. The audiobook is a promising choice too: listeners praise Nick Podehl’s performance and comfortable cadence, but the available recording-specific detail is not deep enough to make highly precise claims about every aspect of the delivery.
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Where Listener Reactions Vary
Listeners split most clearly around writing and story quality and narration performance. Because those reactions recur across independent discussions and sources, they look more like genuine taste differences than isolated comments. Emotional impact also varies, so it is worth treating that part of the listening experience as especially preference-dependent.
The strongest theme is independently supported across 5 discussions and 5 source networks.
Runtime & Edition Details
- Runtime
- 27 hours and 55 minutes
- Format
- Unabridged audiobook
- Publisher
- Brilliance Audio
- Audiobook release date
- May 15, 2009
- Language
- English
- ASIN
- B002A2BO2Y
Before You Listen
- Allow time for a nearly twenty-eight-hour commitment.
- Expect multiple plot threads and a story built around a protagonist’s remembered life rather than a single straightforward quest.
- Sample the recording if sharply differentiated character voices are essential to your enjoyment.
Why You Can Trust This Recommendation
- Identity and edition signals are checked separately
- Independent discussions and source networks are counted distinctly
- Narration claims require edition- or narrator-specific support
- Unsupported information is withheld instead of displayed as a zero score
223 evidence records remain in the research set behind this page after filtering and deduplication.
See contributing sources
FAQ
Is this a good choice for listeners who are new to fantasy?
It can be, especially if you enjoy a strongly voiced protagonist and a richly imagined world. The long runtime and many plot threads may feel demanding if you prefer a short, tightly focused story.
Does the audiobook work well with a large cast of characters?
Listener observations describe Nick Podehl as handling the cast, voices, and accents effectively. Character differentiation is a developing rather than definitive strength, so listeners who are especially sensitive to subtle voice distinctions may want to sample it first.
What kind of mood does the story create?
Expect an emotional fantasy with moments of wonder, danger, humor, and sorrow. Public discussion repeatedly describes the story as moving, though the available material does not establish detailed content warnings.
How much time should I set aside for this edition?
This English, unabridged Brilliance Audio edition runs approximately 27 hours and 55 minutes, making it better suited to a sustained listening project than a quick weekend read.
Ready to experience The Name of the Wind?
Continue to this audiobook’s current verified edition and availability.